– It’s only one game, but it’s one of the best wins this season. I haven’t exactly had much confidence lately, so this was a very good victory for me, says Casper Ruud to the organizer. Ruud had lost seven of his last eight matches before Monday. – I knew he was struggling with a possible cold, says Ruud about his Spanish opponent. – I saw that he sniffed. He always wears a tissue to his nose. It was another sign that he was not 100 percent. It’s sad and not so good for him, but it’s part of the game, he continues. On Monday, opponent Carlos Alcaraz had just over 95 percent for victory against the Norwegian tennis star, according to the odds market. OPPONENTS: Carlos Alcaraz during the opening match of the ATP finals. Photo: Reuters But Casper Ruud showed a form that has hardly been seen this autumn and won 2-0 in sets against the Spanish superstar. 6–1 in the first set and 7–5 in the following set. This was the opening match in the group stage of the ATP finals. – What can one say, we’ve probably seen Alcaraz better. That’s how it is sometimes, it’s part of the game. Fortunately, I took care of the opportunities I was given, says the Norwegian to TV 2. – How important is it to come in with low shoulders? – You go in and are excited and nervous. Not everyone is allowed to join here. You have to take care of the opportunities you get. He is the big favorite on paper – and then I can let myself loose a little more. He probably feels even more under pressure. Photo: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP – He has great opportunities to progress (in the playoffs). There is probably a very disappointed Alcaraz going out here. He does not reach the level we are used to seeing, says TV 2 expert Christer Francke. – It is very deserved that he wins this, says Francke. – It is almost unbelievable, says TV 2 commentator Christian Paasche. World number three Alcaraz had before the match won all four matches in his career against Ruud. The match was the opening match of the ATP final in Torino, Italy. It is the end of the season where the eight best tennis players this season participate. However, veteran Novak Djokovic is not included – he has withdrawn due to injury problems. Has been in trouble Since Casper Ruud quit in the 4th round of the US Open, the results have been miserable. In recent weeks, there has been only one victory. ATP 250 in Metz: Benjamin Bonzi (124 in the world), 1st round Paris Masters: Jordan Thompson (28), 1st round ATP 250 in Basel: Roberto Bautista Agut (45), 1st round ATP 250 in Stockholm: Lorenzo Sonego (50), 2nd round (beat Tallon Griekspoor) ATP 500 in Shanghai: Aleksander Vukic (91) ATP 500 in Tokyo: Jordan Thompson (29), 1st round Photo: Reuters Open brilliantly Casper Ruud started the opening match of the group stage brilliantly . He won 6–1 in the first set against Alcaraz. The Spaniard came more into the match in the second set and led 5–2. But the Norwegian gave the world coach a good fight. Suddenly it was 5-4. – What a comeback in the second set, commented Christian Paasche. – He is a bit shaky here. No doubt about it, commented TV 2 expert Christer Francke after Casper Ruud delivered one of the best balls of the match. Then it was 6-5 to Ruud. He had won four games in a row. The final and deciding set was a lot of back and forth. But on the third match ball it was right for Ruud, who could grin widely after one of the biggest achievements of his career. Later in the group stage, Ruud will also face Alexander Zverev and Andrei Rublev. Published 11.11.2024, at 15.38 Updated 11.11.2024, at 17.50
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